S. 233: Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2025
Sponsor
Marsha Blackburn
Republican · TN
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 23, 2026
Placed on Senate floor schedule under General Orders. Calendar No. 340.
U.S. dues become leverage against WADA
Why it matters
The bill gives the U.S. 90 days to decide whether the World Anti-Doping Agency meets reform standards — and lets officials withhold up to 100% of American dues if it does not. That would turn WADA funding into direct leverage over governance, conflict rules, and athlete representation.
S. 233 would make the Office of National Drug Control Policy the lead U.S. office for pushing changes at the World Anti-Doping Agency, in consultation with USADA, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.
The bill says that within 90 days of becoming law, ONDCP must decide whether WADA has an independent governance model, has fully implemented governance reforms, and gives independent athletes from the U.S. and other democratic countries real decision-making roles.
If ONDCP says no, the bill requires a follow-up report within 180 days explaining the barriers to U.S. participation and representation. It also lets ONDCP, after consulting Congress, withhold up to the full amount of U.S. membership dues to WADA.
The bill also pushes for broader conflict-of-interest rules across WADA leadership and committee structures, and it defines an "independent athlete" narrowly. To qualify, an athlete cannot serve with the IOC, IPC, a recognized international sports federation, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or WADA itself.
S. 233 Bill Summary
What S. 233 actually does.
WADA gets a 90-day pass-or-fail review
Within 90 days after enactment, ONDCP must decide whether WADA meets the bill's standards on governance, reforms, and athlete representation.
U.S. can withhold up to all dues
If ONDCP finds WADA falls short, it may withhold up to 100% of U.S. membership dues after consulting the relevant congressional committees.
Athletes get a push for real decision-making seats
The bill tells ONDCP to push for independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries to hold decision-making roles across WADA's top bodies and committees.
Conflict rules expand across WADA leadership
The bill says WADA should fully implement conflict-of-interest policies for its executive leadership, board members, advisory groups, standing committees, special committees, and working groups.
A negative finding triggers a 180-day report
If ONDCP determines WADA does not meet the standards, it must issue a report within 180 days describing barriers to U.S. participation and fair representation.
Congress gets 30 days' notice before money goes out
Before any U.S. funds are obligated to WADA, ONDCP must send appropriators a spending plan and explanation at least 30 days in advance.
Who benefits from S. 233?
Independent U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes
If the bill works as sponsors intend, athletes who are not tied to the existing Olympic, Paralympic, federation, or WADA power structure could gain real decision-making roles inside the global anti-doping system.
Clean athletes competing internationally
Athletes who depend on credible anti-doping enforcement could benefit if the bill's pressure campaign leads to tighter governance and stronger safeguards against what the bill describes as systemic fraud.
USADA and athlete representatives
USADA and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission would have to be consulted before major U.S. decisions on WADA, giving athlete-facing institutions a formal voice in the process.
Congressional overseers of international sports funding
Lawmakers would get more visibility before WADA payments go out and a clearer trigger for when the U.S. might stop paying dues.
Who is affected by S. 233?
World Anti-Doping Agency
WADA would face direct U.S. pressure on governance, conflict-of-interest rules, and athlete representation, backed by the possibility that some or all American dues could be withheld.
Office of National Drug Control Policy
ONDCP would take on the core job: consulting key sports bodies, making the 90-day determination, preparing any 180-day report, and managing payment decisions and advance notices to Congress.
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee
The committee would be part of the required consultation process, but the bill's definition of an independent athlete also excludes people serving with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee from that category.
Athletes tied to existing sports governing bodies
Not every athlete voice qualifies here. The bill says athletes serving with the IOC, IPC, recognized international federations, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or WADA are not considered independent athletes.
What Congress Is Saying
S. 233 hasn't been debated on the floor yet.
This section updates when a legislator speaks about it on the floor or in committee.
S233 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Feb 23, 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-111.
Passed Committee
Jun 25, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Jan 23, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
About the Sponsor
Marsha Blackburn
Republican, TN · 23 years in Congress
Committees: Joint Economic Committee, Veterans' Affairs, Commerce, Science, and Transportation
View full profile →
Cosponsors (6)
This bill has 6 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 6 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and 3 more.
Committee Sponsors
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
4 of 28 committee members cosponsored
13 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
S. 233 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Sports and Recreation
- Introduced
- Jan 23, 2025
Placed on Senate floor schedule under General Orders. Calendar No. 340.
Feb 23, 2026
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the bill, including status, text, sponsors, and actions.
ONDCP is the federal office this bill tasks with reviewing WADA, consulting stakeholders, reporting to Congress, and deciding whether to withhold dues.
The bill amends Section 701 of the ONDCP Reauthorization Act, codified at 21 U.S.C. 2001, making this the core statutory backdrop for the measure.
This chapter establishes the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which the bill references when defining consultation roles and independent athletes.
The bill specifically cites 36 U.S.C. 220501 regarding the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s legal status.
S. 233 Common Questions
Can S. 233 stop U.S. payments to WADA entirely?
Yes. If ONDCP decides WADA fails the bill's standards, it may withhold up to 100% of U.S. membership dues after consulting the relevant congressional committees.
How fast would WADA have to pass the U.S. review?
Fast. S. 233 gives ONDCP 90 days after enactment to decide whether WADA meets the bill's governance, reform, and athlete-representation standards.
What happens if ONDCP says WADA falls short?
Two things can happen: ONDCP may withhold dues, and it must issue a report within 180 days explaining barriers to U.S. participation and representation at WADA.
Would U.S. athletes get more power inside WADA?
That is the goal. The bill says ONDCP should push for independent athletes from the U.S. and other democratic countries to hold decision-making roles at WADA.
Who counts as an independent athlete under S. 233?
An Olympic or Paralympic athlete who does not serve with the IOC, IPC, a recognized international federation, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or WADA.
Which U.S. groups have to be consulted before major WADA decisions?
ONDCP must consult USADA, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.
Does S. 233 require Congress to get advance notice before money goes to WADA?
Yes. ONDCP would have to send House and Senate appropriators a spending plan at least 30 days before obligating funds to WADA.
Is this bill about doping rules or about who runs the system?
Mostly governance. S. 233 focuses on WADA leadership, conflict rules, athlete representation, and whether the U.S. should keep paying dues if those changes do not happen.
Based on S. 233 bill text
S. 233 Bill Text
“To amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to modify the authority of the Office of National Drug Control Policy with respect to the World Anti-Doping Agency, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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